The following information was provided in a 9 February 2005 telephone interview with the Counsellor of the High Commission of Bangladesh in Ottawa.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) issues driver's licences. After passing a medical exam, paying a fee, and filling out a form, a person is issued a "learner's driving license," which is valid for six months. At this stage, no driving or written exam is done. This driver's licence is only valid for a person learning how to drive. Thus, the learner must have a full licensed driver beside him or her and must drive only for learning purposes. After the six months, the person must pass a written test and a road test to be issued a driver's licence.

The High Commission in Ottawa cannot issue driver's licences. The person must be in Bangladesh to apply for and receive his or her driver's licence.

The following information was found on the Website of the BRTA. The BRTA has a "[h]ead office in Dhaka, 19 circle offices and 39 zonal offices spread all over the country" (n.d.). In addition, the forms that need to be submitted to apply for driver's licences can be found on the Website of the BRTA at www.brta.gov.bd.

A copy of a driver's licence is provided as an attachment.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Bangladesh. n.d. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. http://www.brta.gov.bd/index.php [Accessed 16 Feb. 2005]

High Commission of Bangladesh in Ottawa. 9 February 2005. Telephone interview with the counsellor.

High Commission of Bangladesh in Ottawa. 4 February 2005. Copy of a Bangladeshi driver's licence.